Equipping Them to Thrive: The Role of Teacher Identity Formation in Urban Teacher Preparation

• In Event: Preservice Teachers' Identity Formation

Abstract

Teacher burnout and attrition is a prominent issue plaguing U.S. urban schools. In this study, I argue that teacher preparation should focus on teacher identity formation to help mitigate early career burnout and attrition. I share practices and results from a workshop series called Teach and Thrive Learning Circles (TTLC), held at a small liberal arts college in the Southwestern United States. Reflection journals, focus groups, and interviews over the course of three years corroborated that TTLC participants committed to authentic teacher identities and engagement in praxis to help them navigate the early years of teaching. Findings suggest that attention to preservice teacher identity formation can help prepare novice educators to navigate burnout and circumvent attrition from urban schools.

Author

• Kristina Marie Valtierra, Colorado College